The Wasp — 1887 — page 397: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **advertising and commercial content** rather than political satire. The bulk consists of Sacramento and Stockton advertisements for businesses like A.A. Van Voorhies & Co. (saddles and harnesses), Wiedmann Candy Manufactory, Langford Colony real estate, First National Bank, and the Pacific Asylum. The only substantial editorial content is "A Determined Detective"—a short story about McNab, a shrewd detective who identifies a criminal by observing his distinctive blue eyes and middle age. The narrative demonstrates detective work through careful observation rather than containing political satire. The remaining advertisements promote patent medicines, biscuits, and various services typical of 1880s California publishing. This appears to be a standard issue mixing light fiction with commercial content.